AN appeal has been launched to trace the family of a Greenock woman who helped crack the Enigma code that helped defeat the Nazis during the Second World War.

Leicestershire farmer Bob Sim is researching the life of Ella Gourlay, who was the daughter of Morton's 1922 Scottish Cup final goalscoring hero Jimmy.

Ella was a comrade and good friend of Bob's late mum when they served together in Woodhouse Eaves communication hut, intercepting radio messages and passing them on to the famous team at Bletchley Park.

When his mum, Cybil, died two years ago at the age of 96, he found letters sent to her by Ella that he would like to share with her surviving relatives.

Bob, 73, from the village of Hoton down south, said: "My mum, Cybil Hardie, and Ella Gourlay and their friend Winfred Smart who were known as the 'three jocks'.

"They served together in Woodhouse Eaves as radio listeners.

"It was top secret and no one knew they were there, or what they were doing.

"When my mum died I found letters from Ella, as they kept in touch after the war.

"The sad thing is for so many years they didn't speak about Woodhouse, for fear of the Official Secrets Act.

"But there is such an incredible story to tell.

"They used to intercept the messages and then the information would be taken by motorbike to Bletchley Park under darkness every night.

"They played a such a significant role and there is a real determination to recognise their role in the war effort.

"There was a local historian who died recently, who kept their efforts alive and I am hoping to help carry on his work.

"It would be really lovely to trace Ella's family."

Ella, from Greenock, Cybil, from Langholm, and fellow Scot Winfred, who came from Crieff, were key members of the Woodhouse Eaves team, after completing their training in the Isle of Man.

The famous Bletchley Park complex was where a crack team of code breakers led by Alan Turing were based during the Second World War.

Thanks to information compiled in communications hut like Woodhouse, they cracked the code to read encrypted messages that turned the tide against the Nazis.

While her key wartime role was a top secret matter, Ella's father Jimmy has always been one of Greenock's most famous sons.

Jimmy was the only scorer in Morton's famous Scottish Cup final against Rangers 100 years ago.

Anyone with information about Ella and surviving relatives is asked to contact the Greenock Telegraph newsroom on 01475 558908.